Legislature off island for 415 days...so far

Senators AWOL...and there’s no way to hold them accountable to the public for the amount of days they miss. Senators used to accrue leave and cash it out in lump sums - even though they took days off and trips all the time, never signing for leave. But public backlash led to a public law banning senators from having leave at all.

According to documents obtained from Speaker BJ Cruz’s office – senators have been off island a combined 415 days – and their term isn’t even over yet.

And that’s not even the worst of it – there’s no way to tell how often or for how long they’ve taken personal trips.

According to legislative rules, only the Speaker, the legislative secretary and the majority leader must notify the speaker’s office of all travel – personal or official. So while other senators must inform the body of official travel – the rules are wide open for personal travel.

Your top AWOL senators? Senator Telena Nelson tops the list – with 88 days off-island. In her defense, Senator Nelson is a captain in the Guam Army National Guard – her chief of staff says because of the classified nature of the senator’s work with the guard, she’s not able to disclose details about her travel.

Speaker BJ Cruz, noticeably AWOL during the current budget crisis special sessions has been off-island a total of 65 days – and only one of his 7 trips was official. The rest of the Speaker’s trips were “personal and medical” according to one of his staffers. Speaker Cruz is not seeking re-election.

Neither is Majority Leader Tom Ada, who has been off-island for 63 days. Senator Ada telling KUAM News all of his trips were personal – meaning Speaker Cruz and Senator Ada have gotten more than two months of vacation time on their farewell tours.

At least one senator has admitted to taking personal trips without notifying the legislative body – Senator Michael San Nicolas. Other than a trip to Washington DC with a head staffer – San Nicolas has taken three personal trips – two for “medical” reasons. A source at the legislature saying it’s common for senators not in leadership positions to take frequent personal trips.

Most of the senators’ excessive travel is personal in nature – meaning official travel costs are lower than in previous legislatures, but taxpayer money is still being spent at a rate that would make an average citizen blush.

Take for example a junket to a State Legislators’ conference in Boston. Senator Nelson and Senator Regine Biscoe Lee, along with two of Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje’s staffers racked up nearly $20K on the 5-day conference.

Will senators police themselves and institute a form of checks and balances to let the public know they’re willing to be held accountable for personal leave and absences? Don’t hold your breath.

In CHamoru, a young island resident proudly introduces himself. "Hafa adai. Na'an-mu si Pedro Blas." Guam's native tongue threads through the life of the 21-year-old singer-songwriter and student. It was spoken around him growing, mostly by his father andMore >>

In CHamoru, a young island resident proudly introduces himself. "Hafa adai. Na'an-mu si Pedro Blas." Guam's native tongue threads through the life of the 21-year-old singer-songwriter and student. It was spoken around him growing, mostly by his father andMore >>

A sendoff ceremony was held today for the 35 Guam National Guard airmen set to deploy in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve later this month. Members of the 254th Air Base group, the 254 Security Force Squadron and the 25More >>

A sendoff ceremony was held today for the 35 Guam National Guard airmen set to deploy in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve later this month. Members of the 254th Air Base group, the 254 Security Force Squadron and the 25More >>

A cup of joe with the officers of the Guam police department. More than a handful of GPD officers started their hump day morning at the Wendy's in Upper Tumon for the latest Coffee with a Cop program. The community outreach event allows our local officersMore >>

A cup of joe with the officers of the Guam police department. More than a handful of GPD officers started their hump day morning at the Wendy's in Upper Tumon for the latest Coffee with a Cop program. The community outreach event allows our local officersMore >>

Tamuning Elementary School is placed on a brief lockdown after a threat is made Wednesday afternoon. Guam Department of Education spokesperson Isa Baza says the lockdown started around 2:20pm after a staff member received the threat. Details, however, havMore >>

Tamuning Elementary School is placed on a brief lockdown after a threat is made Wednesday afternoon. Guam Department of Education spokesperson Isa Baza says the lockdown started around 2:20pm after a staff member received the threat. Details, however, havMore >>

He made repeated calls to police before he was placed under arrest. Jovencio Romo Camacho, 29, was arrested and charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance and making a false report. Court documents state he called police about baMore >>

He made repeated calls to police before he was placed under arrest. Jovencio Romo Camacho, 29, was arrested and charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance and making a false report. Court documents state he called police about baMore >>

He apparently had a verbal contract with a teen girl known to him. Court documents state the 14-year-old told police that she could avoid being grounded and get something she wants if she submitted to sexual intercourse with Gerard Quenga Pangelinan. TheMore >>

He apparently had a verbal contract with a teen girl known to him. Court documents state the 14-year-old told police that she could avoid being grounded and get something she wants if she submitted to sexual intercourse with Gerard Quenga Pangelinan. The More >>

Man-O-Wars are back. According to Yona Mayor Jesse Blas, four residents have been stung by the jellyfish at the Tagachang Beach. Each was transported to the Yona Firestation for treatment. Beachgoers are advised not to touch any jellyfish. Even dead theyMore >>

Man-O-Wars are back. According to Yona Mayor Jesse Blas, four residents have been stung by the jellyfish at the Tagachang Beach. Each was transported to the Yona Firestation for treatment. Beachgoers are advised not to touch any jellyfish. Even dead they More >>

Joining the ranks of hundreds of other local businesses and organizations. Several shops took the Hafa Adai pledge today during a ceremony Tumon. The owners of Halia and Jade, Suprim Denache, Coconut Tree Company, and Café de Sirena.More >>

Joining the ranks of hundreds of other local businesses and organizations. Several shops took the Hafa Adai pledge today during a ceremony in Tumon. The owners of Halia and Jade, Suprim Denache, Coconut Tree Company, and Café de Sirena.More >>

An incident took place at Pay-Less involving fake checks. Court documents state 31-year-old Gerard DeGuzman Belga allegedly cashed a fake check at the store's Yigo location over the weekend. Staff didn't realize it was a counterfeit - evidenced by how "huMore >>

An incident took place at Pay-Less involving fake checks. Court documents state 31-year-old Gerard DeGuzman Belga allegedly cashed a fake check at the store's Yigo location over the weekend. Staff didn't realize it was a counterfeit - evidenced by how "huMore >>

The last meeting of the Commission on Decolonization took place today with the Governor thanking members for their service. While some members tendered their courtesy resignations because of the incoming administration, the respective status option task fMore >>

The last meeting of the Commission on Decolonization took place today with the Governor thanking members for their service. While some members tendered their courtesy resignations because of the incoming administration, the respective status option task fMore >>